The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-25
A DAY WITH GEO. BANCROFT.
Gen. Adam Badeau Talks with the Veteran
Historian Upon Current Topics.

Special to the Indianapolis journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24-Not long ago 1 re-
ceived the following note from Mr.. Bancroft
which, as everything from his pen becomes daily
more precious, make apology for giving to
the world:
thank you very much for the copy of "Grant in
Peace " which you have been so good as to send me
with your inscription. The book to inter
esting and like your moderation. In some of the
periods of which YOU treat was familiar with men
who bore principal parts in public life. and from day
to day knew well their private views and purposes.
knew Andrew Johnson thoroughly well, having
ived near him. where l saw him every day and had
1.-The most unreserved intercourse with him. then
an act of injustice and that he was on
his trial, thoroughly entitled to acquttal.
his unvared Intention was to maintain idetv tn the
Constitution ard keep within its bounds. The
fusion grew out of the fact tnat he wanted be
elected President; and yet although he welded the
highest executive authority, he had party disposed
TO support him for that places but do not
any where he overstepped the Constitution; and
l then thought, and still think him more sinned
against than SHINING. was in Germany a. the time
in the public of Frussia-some OF their fairest-
ronded and ablest statesmen cave personal attention
enough to the question form opinion of
their own and they not able TO any sufficient
reason for the arraignment of Andrew johnson. For
myself was of that opinion then, and remain of it.
having formed 1t not lightly.
Soon after this called at his house. and spent
hour learning a lesson i'll American history
from it's Nestor. had often received advice
and instruction from him before. He read and
revised several chapters in one of my earlier vol
umes. and has written more than one letter
on historical composition. He had talked with
me twenty years ago about the events and char
acters OF the war; and urged me record what
L had witnessed; but never in his prime had
found his mind clearer. his memory brighter
his ideas more Just, his judgment more accurate
The range of his conversation on this evening
remarkable; and he sat in his red draw
ing-room, with bright lights disposed all around,
his fine head with IT'S fringe of white, his lofty
brow. and above all, his piercing eye, looking
now, apparently. back into the pact, or per-
chance penetrating the future conte plating
the events of the day-all made a obe picture
that have already hung in the choicest gall
lery of my memory. He looked the very
ideal of hstorIap-venersble, dignified,
calm but earnest; not unimpassioned, but with
decided views. warm predictions, firm belief
in the people-all. it seemed to me. as apparent
in the physiocnomy as in his eloquent utterances.
He passed from foreign subjects to domestic,
from Bismarck, the Emperor OF Germany. and
Ranke, to Seward and Andrew johnson, and
Washington and Jefferson and the elder Adams.
This sage, in his eiehty-eighth year, was
ready to converse on the topics of the hour as to
pronounce the judgments of eruiitIon or discuss
the most heated phases Of past politics There
was no sign of tagging energies, no incoherence
in his speech, no ram mbling in his thought. The
quickness with which, in the letter ! have